While the past decade has brought new trends in the fashion world, few have evolved as much as popular shoe styles. From designer sneakers that look like socks to the ever-popular Adidas Sambas, it is safe to say that shoes have played a forefront role in all niches of the fashion industry.
The years 2015 through 2018 brought about a rise in “hypebeast culture,” during which so-called “sneaker heads” emphasized expanding designer shoe collections. During this time, more people than ever before sought to collect designer sneakers like Air Jordans, the Balenciaga Sock Trainers and the Adidas Yeezy Sneakers.
Ally Yates, a freshman majoring in communications interested in fashion, found that collectors valued the status of their shoes rather than looks or comfort.
“People didn’t care as much about the style as long as it had the name,” she said.
Juliana Ogden, a junior majoring in art history and an intern at the University’s Fashion Archive, described what she believed to be the two subsections of hypebeast culture. She explained that there were people with a more-laid back look, who preferred the look of casual sneakers like the Adidas NMDs, and others who preferred a loud, expensive shoe.
Other styles of shoes also became popular during these years, such as gladiator sandals, duck boots and Crocs.
Ogden described how her setting affected the popularity of shoes during this time.
“This period of my life, I moved from a very inner-city school to a more suburban school. I definitely saw Crocs in my suburban area, but in my inner city there were more Yeezy kind of people,” she said.
Similarly, the years 2019 through 2022 produced their own trendy shoe styles, with people branching out to incorporate more dramatic silhouettes.
“Dad shoes,” like the New Balance 990, Balenciaga Triple S sneakers and Fila Disruptors, became all the rage. Also during this period, trendy shoes emphasized shape, including dramatic platforms.
These trends gained popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic with the rise of chunky loafers, Demonia boots and platform Converse, with people trying to find their own personal sense of style.
“COVID really did encourage people to explore offbeat aesthetics,” Ogden said. “Everyone was dressing up to stay at home, versus us now dressing down to go out to class.”
Despite the mass popularity of dad shoes and platform styles during these years, one shoe in particular made an extreme comeback — the Air Force 1. Both Yates and Ogden expressed how widespread these sneakers have since become. While they may not be as popular now as they were just a few years ago, their impact is undeniable.
“I feel like that’s kind of what they’ve more become now, just like a typical shoe that you can wear and beat up,” Yates said.
The simple and versatile nature of the Air Force 1, in contrast with the over-the-top shoes trending at the same time, foreshadowed the shoe trends that would follow from 2023 through 2025.
Almost undoubtedly, the Adidas Sambas have become one of the most popular sneakers over the past couple of years, with other shoe designers producing similar styles.
“If I was to pick a shoe to talk about our sort of trend cycle that are really popular right now, it would be the Adidas Sambas,” Ogden said.
Because they come in a wide variety of colors, anyone can find a pair of Adidas Sambas to match their style.
Yates likes the colors and styles that the Sambas come in, finding that they encourage wearers to branch out and try different things with their outfits.
Similarly to the casual nature of the Sambas, Ugg slippers have amassed a large following because of their simplicity and informal vibe.
However, not everyone likes a casual shoe, and some are opting for a more classic look with the Mary Jane or ballet flats. While less casual than Ugg slippers or the Adidas Sambas, these shoes have been found to be just as versatile.
The past decade has brought about a large number of shoe trends, from designer shoe collections to an emphasis on comfort, practicality and versatility. Many individuals have focused on finding shoes that fit their needs.
“There’s been a real big push on finding your personal style,” Ogden said.
